Players in Italy’s Serie A to strike Sept. 25-26 over contract dispute

Serie A players to strike over contract dispute

MILAN — Italy’s association of soccer players has announced a strike the weekend of Sept. 25-26 due to a contract dispute.

The dispute centers around a proposal by club presidents to limit players from refusing transfers, as defender Fabio Grosso recently did with Juventus following an offer from AC Milan.

The clubs’ proposal stipulates that when a player has a year remaining on his contract, he must accept a transfer to an equally competitive club that guarantees the same financial treatment and status. If the player doesn’t accept, he must come to a mutual contract resolution with the club, according to the proposal.

The strike was announced with a statement read by Milan defender Massimo Oddo, signed by the captains and union representatives of all 20 Serie A clubs.